FAQ's and General Information

OUR PHILOSOPHY Students at First Stage Theater Academy benefit from a curriculum designed to develop life skills through stage skills. Through their training with our staff, which is comprised of professional actors and teaching artists, students learn not only the art and craft of theater, but also the value of integrity, commitment, responsibility and cooperation. These ideals will guide them well in any life pursuit.

PARENT/GUARDIAN CHECKLIST

Review the invoice that was mailed to you before classes begin. (Class codes may have changes based on grade levels) If you did not receive an invoice, please contact the Academy Office.

Make sure all classes that your student is registered for have been paid in full. If classes have not been paid in full, please send return payment as soon as possible to the Academy Office.

Return the “Expected Absences” form located on the invoice for dates when your student will not be attending class.

PREPARING FOR CLASS On the first day of class our staff will greet students and parents at the entrance. We will check students in, receive any paperwork, collect tuition balances due, answer any questions, and direct students to their classrooms. Please arrive 10-15 minutes prior to class start time. Students should bring a backpack to keep personal belongings, as there are no lockers for student use. Please make sure all belongings are labeled with the student’s name.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATIONS

These open house orientations allow new families to learn more about the program structure and policies, ask questions, and get a glimpse into the classroom content!

Attending one orientation session is encouraged for new students. A parent or guardian should also attend. If this is your student’s first class, the enclosed invoice will list your orientation date & time. If you need to make changes, please contact the Academy office.

ORIENTATION DATES & TIMES

MYAC

May 17th – 6:00-7:30pm

May 19th – 10:00-11:30am

June 21st – 6:30-7:30pm

SLW

June 20th – 6:00-7:00pm

July 7th – 10:00-11:00am

DRESS CODE & VALUABLES All students will receive an Academy t-shirt on the first day of class which they should wear every day. Extra t-shirts may be purchased in the Academy office at a cost of $10 each. We have loaner t-shirts available if a student forgets theirs. Students may wear shorts or long pants. Clothing must allow for movement. Closed-toe shoes and socks are required. Students are discouraged from wearing sandals, flip-flops, or boots. We recommend against jewelry that might interfere with movement. Please do not bring any valuables as we cannot guarantee the security of such items. We encourage students to leave valuable items at home.

FINAL PRESENTATIONS Every Summer Academy session culminates in a lively presentation of class work for family and friends. Following the presentations, teachers will be available to talk with parents. Reminders will be sent home prior to the presentation date.

Class Presentations will take place on the final day of your student’s class. See below for times:

MYAC

Grades K4-2nd Presentation Time

Morning Classes 11:00 – 11:30 am

Afternoon Classes 2:30 – 3:00 pm

All Day Classes 2:45 – 3:15 pm

Grades 3rd – 4th Presentation Time

One Week Sessions 2:15 – 2:45 pm

Two Week Sessions 1:45 – 2:45 pm

Grades 5th – 12th Presentation Time

One Week Sessions 3:15 – 4:15 pm

Two Week Sessions 2:00 – 4:15 pm

Three Week Sessions 3:15 – 4:15 pm

The following class presentations will be held on the final Thursday of each session:

Grades 5th – 12th Presentation Time

Four Week Sessions 2:30 – 4:00 pm

SLW

Grades K4 – 2nd Presentation Time

Morning Classes 11:00 am – 11:30 am

Afternoon Classes 2:30 – 3:00 pm

Grades 3rd – 4th Presentation Time

One Week Session 2:30 – 3:00 pm

Grades 5th – 12th Presentation Time

Two Week Session 2:30 – 4:15 pm

APA

Grades 3rd – 5th Presentation Time

One Week Session 2:30 – 3:00 pm

Grades 6th – 8th Presentation Time

One Week Session 2:30 – 3:00 pm

DROP-OFF & PICK-UP Please drop off and pick up students at the main entrance to the building. Students arriving prior to 8:30am at the MYAC location should sign up for Morning Extended Care. When students are dismissed for the day, they must be picked up within 15 minutes after the end of class, unless they are signed up for Afternoon Extended Care. Although we will not leave the site until everyone is picked up, please be conscientious in arriving on time.

GRADES K5-4th (ALL LOCATIONS)

Please escort your students into the front lobby of the building each day. Our staff will greet you and you will sign in your student, as well as noting who will be picking them up. At the end of the day, please come inside to the lobby to sign your student out.

GRADES 5th-12th (MYAC)

Students should be dropped off at the MYAC front gate on Walnut Street. Cars may line up along Walnut and around the corner on 4th Street while waiting in line. Please do not pull into the MYAC parking lot to drop off and pick up, unless you need to come into the building. Please see “Parking Arrangements” below for more information.

GRADES 5th-12th (SLW & APA)

Students may be dropped off in front of the building, and a staff member will meet them in the lobby. You may also park and walk your student inside.

PARKING

MYAC

The MYAC staff parking lot has very limited visitor parking. Parking is also available at the MPS lot on 4th and Galena throughout the summer. The lane in front of the building is for loading and unloading only. Please do not leave your vehicle unattended in the loading zone (It may be towed). “School Zones” are not in effect during the summer, but please be mindful of other metered parking or loading zone areas. Please call with any questions regarding parking.

SLW & APA

Parking is readily available in the lots surrounding Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts and the Academy for Performing Arts – Franklin.

EXTENDED CARE – MYAC ONLY Extended Care is designed to help busy working parents. This program is led by Academy teaching apprentices and offers students an opportunity to participate in games, memorize lines, practice scene work, meet new friends, or just hang out. Extended Care is available at the MYAC location only. Please contact the Academy Office to add Extended Care to your order.

Mornings:

• K5-4th: 8:00 am to start time = $50/week

• 5th-12th: 8:00 – 8:30 am = $25/week

Afternoons:

• K5-12th: end time to 5:30pm = $50/ week

Both Morning & Afternoon: = $90/week

CLASS CANCELLATIONS & CHANGES First Stage Theater Academy reserves the right to cancel any course if enrollment is insufficient. Any tuition paid will be refunded in full.

Are classes ever cancelled? If First Stage Theater Academy needs to cancel one or more days of class due to circumstances beyond the Academy’s control (e.g., severe weather, power outage, etc.), there will be no refunds or make up classes.

Can my child switch a class? If families find that they have a scheduling conflict or other emergency circumstance and need to switch their course selection, please contact the Academy office to request a change. Please be aware that switching class is contingent upon space availability in the desired class.

What if my student needs to miss a class? Please return the “Expected Absences” form located on your invoice for dates your student will be absent. If you have already submitted your form, please contact the Academy Office. Due to the nature of the program we are unable to offer make up classes.

What if my child is sick? Please use good judgment about bringing your student to the Academy. If your student is sick or contagious, please keep them home. Parents of students who become ill during the day will be promptly notified and are expected to arrange to pick up their student immediately.

What if my child is being disrespectful? First Stage Theater Academy also reserves the right to send children home due to inappropriate or disrespectful behavior.

LUNCH & BREAKS Staff members supervise students during breaks and lunch. Students should have a water bottle for use throughout the day. Vending machines are off-limits to students. Food items should not require refrigeration or heating as there are no facilities for either.

Also, please avoid bringing food items with peanuts or other nut products as it poses severe health risks for students with this specific allergy.

FULL DAY PROGRAMS

Academy students in the full-day programs take lunch around the midpoint of their day. Students are not permitted to leave the grounds during their lunch break, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Lunch is taken outside, weather permitting.

HALF DAY PROGRAMS

Students in half-day programs should bring a nut-free snack. Snacks are taken midway through the class.

REFUND POLICY There is a $25.00 administrative fee for all refunds. Students withdrawing after June 3, 2018 will receive a tuition credit towards future classes or tickets to our productions. Credits/gift certificates offered will be applicable for up to one year. No refunds or gift certificates will be given once the session has begun.

WEATHER CLOSINGS There is a possibility that classes may be canceled if the weather provides unsafe traveling conditions. Should this unlikely event occur the First Stage Theater Academy has registered with the Storm Team 4 Alert Network. Any closings will be posted through Today’s TMJ4, AM 620 WTMJ, and 94.5 WKTI.

STAY CONNECTED! Throughout your student’s session, keep an eye out for In Focus, the Academy newsletter, for in-depth information about classes, teachers, and more! You can also follow us online for photos, session updates, and more. Check us out on social media!